Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Sanjay Das | Hola Mohalla

I've been sitting on this post for a while now...mulling the right time to feature the wonderful photography of Sanjay Das, and today is the day.

There are a number of very interesting galleries on Sanjay's website; all of which will compete for your attentive visit, so give yourself the time to explore every one of them. Whether it's the color exoticism of his Theyyam images, the spirituality of the Bauls, the visual "clang" of Kolkata's trams, or the rarified air of Ladakh, you'll be amply rewarded.

I chose to feature Tales of Valour: Hola Mohalla for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's a visual and cultural topic that I haven't explored myself during my many trips to India; secondly, it's in monochrome (very courageous for such any colorful religious-cultural event in India) and thirdly, because there are a number of images in that particular photo essay that are really really good. Lastly, this year's Hola Mohalla is scheduled on March 28.

Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival based on a tradition established by Guru Gobind Singh (22 December 1666 - 7 October 1708), one of the ten Sikh gurus. The festival is an occasion for Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles.

Sanjay Das is based in New Delhi, and started his career as an advertising professional, and is now a freelance photographer with a demonstrated interest and passion for his native country. He held numerous solo exhibitions and group shows and exhibitions of his photographs.

About The Travel Photographer

Based in New York City, I am a freelance photographer specializing in documenting endangered cultures
and traditional life ways of Asia, Latin America and Africa. My images, articles and photo features were published in various magazines, and my travel photographs were featured by some of the largest adventure travel companies in the United States and Great Britain, as well as in multinational corporations' art collections. My photographs have been acquired by an eclectic range of clients; from the Standard Chartered’ Bank's permanent art collection to Spike TV.

I also organize and lead photo expeditions and workshops for photographers who share my enthusiasm for unusual cultures,
uncommon locations and lesser known festivals. I'm a faculty member at the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, and give workshops at the Travel Photographer Society (Kuala Lumpur).